STOKES, The Rev. John (Big John)
Died February 29, 2004 while wintering in 3 Rivers Cal.
He was born in Lima, Peru January 29, 1929. At age 12, he moved with his sisters and parents to the Victoria area. He graduated from Shawnigan Lake School for Boys, UBC and VST.
He was married to Flora Norton and had 4 children while he was fisheries biologist 11 years and Anglican priest for 22 years in Ft. St. John, Terrace and Smithers. He was social worker for 2* years in Houston, BC. He met and married 3 Rivers Calif. exchange teacher Dottie Zander, retired earlier than planned after having a stroke. He and Dottie moved to Qualicum Beach where he became involved in the community and regularly visited fellow stroke survivors in BC and Calif.
John never met a stranger. This gentle giant will be missed by his wife of 17 years, Dottie; wife of 33 years, Flora; daughters Liz and Margie Stokes and his son George, (wife Norma); grandchildren Gregory, Amy and Brady; sisters Jane Hooper and Liz (John) Matthews and his many friends. He was predeceased by his sister Caroline Stokes and son Tom.
A Celebration of his life will be held at Knox United Church in Parksville, BC April 26, 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to District 69 Stroke Recovery Ass., c/o G. McMillan, 964 Coombs Rd., Coombs, BC V0R 1M0; or N.R.G.. Hospital Rehab, 1200 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo, BC V9S 2B7.